Turkey Raises Nursing Home Admission Age to 70, Prioritizes Dependent Elderly

Turkey's Ministry of Family and Social Services has enacted a significant change to its elder care policies, raising the minimum age for admission into nursing homes and elderly care and rehabilitation centers from 60 to 70. This revised regulation, published in the Official Gazette, reflects a strategic shift in how the nation approaches long-term care for its aging population. The ministry asserts that this move, coupled with a new "risk-based prioritization system," is designed to ensure that elderly individuals facing neglect, abuse, or lacking access to necessary care receive services more swiftly and with higher priority.

Under the new rules, individuals between the ages of 60 and 70 will be eligible for admission only if they demonstrate a need for partial or full dependency care. This tiered approach aims to manage resources effectively and focus support on those most in need. Furthermore, the regulation introduces a tiered system for care units, categorizing residents based on their needs: "independent and active elderly," "elderly requiring supervision," "elderly needing direct care support," and "elderly requiring advanced support." This structured approach seeks to provide tailored care according to individual circumstances.

In addition to these structural changes, the revised regulations mandate the presence of various specialists within nursing homes, including gerontologists (aging process experts), occupational therapists for individuals with age-related physical, mental, or social limitations, speech and language therapists, and physiotherapy technicians. A notable addition is the provision of "spiritual support services," which will include religious officials offering services such as conversations, prayers, and values education. This holistic approach underscores Turkey's commitment to enhancing the quality of life and care for its elderly citizens, addressing not only physical and mental well-being but also spiritual needs.